pecklcnbtirfl
“ The powers granted under the Constitution, being derived from the People of the United Stales, may be resumed b\j theniy ichenecer perverted to their injury or oppression.''—Madison.
VOLUME 4,\
EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY
Frcdericii H. JVi’Doivell.
CHARLOTTE, N C., DECEMBER 13, 1844.
JNUMBER 188
TERMS:
The “MeckUnbiirg Jf^ersonian^' is published weekly at
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=535* Letters to tiio Editor unless containin:» money in sums
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n very instance, and collocted as o!h;‘f ‘iccounts.
FUESIDr. A i \S 31 \GK.
To the Senate and House of
great benefits of our system of Government be ex
tended to now distant and uninhabited regions, in
view ol the vast wilderness yet to bo reclaimed, we
may well invite the lover of freedom, of every land,
to lake up his abode among us, and assist us in the
gn at work of advancing the_standard of civilization,
and giving a wider spieatl to the arts and refine*
inents ol cultivated life. Our prayers should ever-
moui be ofTtred up to the Father of the IJniverse
lor his wisdom to consummate these high purposes
One ot the strongest objiciions which has been
uigfd against conftderacits, by wri'ers on Govein'
mtni, IS, the liability ol the members to be tampered
with by lorejgn Govermenls or the People of for
eign Slates, either in their legal aflairs, or in such
as uficcitd the peace of olheis, or endangered the
safety of the whole Confederocy. Wc cainjoi hupe
lu bu wuiireiy exempt ficm such attempts on our
peace and safely. The United Slates are becoming
loo iirpoitanl in population and resources not to ai-
iiact the observation of other nations. It, there-
(uie, may, in the progress of time, occur tliat opin-
I ions tntirely abstract in the States in which they
’ may prevail, and in no degree affecting iheir do
, mestic insiilulionsj may be arlfully, but secretly, en-
Jirprese?2taliri's ff l^e U/iittfd Stati’s: j courngtd wilh a view to undermine the Union
jonlinncd c.iiiso for ('xprtssing our gra
t’lde to the Siiprcriu* IJuli-r of the Uuivi rsc for the |
I J3-- -- .
Wc have contimjcd c.iiiso for ('xprtssing our gra Such opinions may bccome the foundation of politi-
*^ihc I parties, until at last, the conflict of opinion, prO'
iKiicfils and blessings which our couiiiiy, under his | ducing an alienation of friendly feeling among ihu
Kml Providence, has eujxyeJ duiiiig the fast year. ! Pt-’ople of the different States, may involve in one
Notwit’osianJing the (.xcjiing set nt'S throuyh which I desiruction the happy institutions under
we have passed, nothing has occurred to disturb ihe
gtnoial peace, or to derange the iiannony of our
poli'ical system. The great inoial spectacle has
bicii exhibited of a nation, approximating in nunibei
to 'i0,000,000 of people, having performed the h'gh
aiiJ important function ol eh cling Iheir Chi^f Mag-
inra’.e for ihe teim of four var-*, without th^ com-
i:i;?cJon of any acts of \ioleni’e, or the nianifrstation
(jf a spirit of insubordination to the laws. The
great "Jnd inestimable right of sufTVage, has be n ex-
orci'fed by all who were ini-(sttd wilh if, under the
laas uf the diile>ent States, in a sj>i;it dKUiinf alone
lly a desire, iti the seK-ciiun of the a-;rent, in aJvanct;
(iie !!]’.ere:ts of the country, and to place beyond joo
pir.ly the ip.sniuiion? under which it is our happi
ness to live 'I'hai the deepest interest has been
liniuihstfd by al! cu: countrytnen in the result of
;iO tkction, IS nol h'ss tiue, than liighly creditable
ih
which w’e live. It should ever be borne in mind,
lhat what IS tiue in legard to individuals, is equally
so in regard to Stales. An interference, of one in
the affairs of another, is the fiuitful source of fami
ly dissensions and neighborhood disputes; and the
same cause affects the peace, happiness and pros-
peiiiy ol Stales. 1: may be most devoutly hoped
that tne good sense of the Ameri:an People will
evtr be ready to repel all such attempts, should they
erer be made.
There has bet n no material change in our foreign
reliiiions since ii.y last Annual Alessage to Congress
Wilh all the powers of Europe we continue on the
most fiiendly leiiiis. .Indeed, it aflbrds me much
satisfaction to stale, that ai no former period has the
ptaceof lhat enlightened and important quarter of
the globe ever been, apparently, »nore firmly estab
lished. The conviction that peace is tho liue poll-
j - ~ ^ I -
iL-ni. Vast inuitKudes have assemblt'd, fiom nations, would seem to be growing and be
to lime-, at various places, for the purpo'e of
jociu’assiug the nicriis and pref(nsior;s of those who
Wi-re pres'cntt-d lor theii' suffiagts: but no armed
ry ha.> betn nicessnry to restrain, within pro
j ei liiin'.s, Ihc [lopular ztal, or to prtveni violcn^
{'Uilrtaks. A p)iinciple much morecnutroiliDa was
I Will in the loveol order and obedu nce lo the laws,
'.vith mere individu-:l • xceplions, evejy
w cre*^posscssess the Amencan mind, and controls
influi nce far more poweiful ihan hosts of
an/ied r!ien VVe cannsjl dwell upon this picture
'.'.’Jtiiout rccognisin^ in it that d. ep and devoted al^
;achincnt on the pait of the P«op!c, to the instiiu
tiOfiS under which we live, which proclaims their
p^rpi-iuity. The grt-ai ubjciion which has always
I'ievaihd against the lection, by the People, of
ti.eir Chief Extculive oflicer, has been ihe appre
coming deeper amongst the enlightened every
where; and there is no people who have a stronger
mieresi of cherishing the senlimenls, and adopting
the means ol prest rving and giving it permanence,
than those ol the Uniud Slates. Amongst these,
the first and most ilfettive are, no doubt, the strict
observance of jusiicc, and the lionesi and punctual
fulfilnnn! of all rngagemenis. But it is not to be
forgotUn that, in the present slate of the world, it is
no less mceesary lo be ready to cnforce their obser
vance and fulfilm^^nt, m reference lo ourselves, lhan
lo observe and fulfill them, on our part, in regard to
olhers.
Since the close of your last cession, a negotiation
has been formally entered upon between the Secre
tary of State and* Her Britannic Majesty's Minister
Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary residing
fall plainly within the principle of others, which
she has long smce adjusted. The injury inflicted
by delays in the setileiijent of these claims, fulls
with severity upon ihe individual claimants, and
makes a strong appeal to her magnanimity and
sense of justice for a speedy settlement. Other mat
ters, arising out of ihe construction of existing trea
ties, also remain unadjusted, and will continue lo be
urged upon her atleniion.
I’he labors of the joint commission appointed by
ihe two Governments to run the dividing line, es
tablished by the Treaty of Washington, were, un-
fuilunately, much delayed in the cotnmencerntnt of
the season, by the fuiluie of Congress, at its last
session, to make a timely appropriation of funds to
meet the expenses of the Ame'ican party, and by
oUier cuuacff, Tht; Unitf d Stales Commissioner,
however, expresses his exptrilition lhat by incieas
ed diligence and energy, the party will be able to
make up for lust time.
We continue to receive assurances of the most
friendly feelings on the pait of all the other Europe
an powers; wilh each, and all of whom, it is so obvi
ously our'inierest lo culiivute the most amicable re
lations. Nor can I anlicipalt ihe occurrence of any
event which would be iiiccly. in any degree, lo dis
turb those relations. Russia, the great notheiu
Peru of the 17th March, 1841, providing for tne
adjusliiient of the cla ms of cilizens ol iht United
States gainst that Republic; but nti dtfiniuvt* ac
tion was taken upon ihe subject. I again tuviie to
it your alti ntion and prompt action
[n my last Annual Message, I tt It it to be my
duly lo make knovin to Congress, in terms both
plain and emphatic, my opinion in regaid to the
war which has so long t xisted between Mexico and
Texas; which, since ihe battle of San Jacinto, has
consisted ahogelht r of predatory incursions, allend.
ed by cucumslances revolting to humanity. I re
peat now, what I then said, lhat, after eight yeais
of feeble and mtlfeciual efforts lo rtcov» r 'I'exas. it
was lime lhat the war should have ceased. 'I’he
United States had a din cl intert sl m the question.
Tho contiguity of the two nations to oui terriloiy
w!xs but loo wfell calculated to involve our pt.iice
Unjust suspicions were engendered m tlie mind ol
onti o.' the other of tht belligeii tits against us; and,
us a nec ssary const qucnce, Anu ncan mlertsts were
made to sufi’er, and our poce became daily tndan-
gered. In addition lo which, il n*u5t hive been
obvious to all that thr- exhaustion produced by the
war. subjeeud both Mt xico anti Texas to the inU r-
ference of other povveis; which, without the inter-
; iijuac Hiuiiuiis. xxuasi.i, luc yivai uvmwwu posiiion of this Gov(mim nt, miglit evcniuate in the
power, under the judicious sway of hor Empeior, uiost se rious mjuiy to the Unit'd Slates.
~ _ . .V A _ 1 I * ■ b-w-v ^ ^
hrnMon of tumults and disordeis, which ini^'lii in | W asfiingion, relative to the rights of their respec
volve in ruin the • riiire Govetn.-isuit A security { nations in and over ihe Oregon territory. That
ai’ain;l t!iis, is found nol only in the fact b* fore al j oegotiation is still pending. Should it, during
liidod to, i)Ul in tht: additional fact that, we live im- ! S‘^‘SSion, be brought to a definitive conclusion
dvr a conledeiacy embiaciii£ alieady twenty-six | " *11 be promptly communicated lo Con-
S.ates; no one of v. hich lias power lo contiol the ! g*^^ss. 1 would, however, again call your attention
eieciion. The popular vote m ea h S'att' is taken | ‘he reccoiMmtndaiions contained in previous mes-
at the iiine appoinieiJ by the laws, and ^uch vote is | dt'Sigiud lo protect and facilitate emigration
ai'.nouncid by its Electiural Col!-g-, wnhout refer- !lhat Territory. The establishment of military
‘ ‘ ' • . ' posts at suitabh points upon the extended line of land
cnce to the decision of tlie uih* i Stales. The li^hl
ol suffrage, and the mode ol conduetmu' thiM-leciion,
is reouliited by ih*- laws oi • ach Siatr ; and the ehc-
tuers. 1 hus it is ih ii, ualikt what might be lln re-
isuils under a consuiuiatedsyjtem, rujf.jns proceedmos^
l&hjuld they prevail, could aff ct the e/eciions
jin single Stans, witliout disiui’bing, lo uny danger-
pous extent, tiie irantjuilily of otlit is. '1 he'-Meat°ex-
I pcrimc nt of a political conltJr'iacy—tach member
of which IS supreme—as to ail matters appertaininfr
to its local iijieiests, and its inteinal peace and hup-
piness,—whih' by a voluntaiy cojupact with others,
■t confides lo the united ppw tr of all, the protectiori
d Its cilizrns, in mattr.rs not domi siic—has been so
•u crowned with coiii],i( te success. The world
pias witnesstd its lapid giowiii in wealth and popu
lation; iind, under the gtride a/jd (ijrection oi a su-
[pennunding Providence, the Oevflnprnenls of the
'p«isi may bt' regardtd but as tlie shadowing forth ol
[the mighty luiure. In ihe biight prospects ol that
[(future, we siiall find, as patriots and plulanthropists
.the highest inducenH ntti to cuitivaie and cherish a
Love ol union, and to frown down every measure or
made to alienate the Stales, or
L People of the Slates, in Mniiunnt and leelinff
^Irom each oiliti. A iig'd acul cios’ aiihertnce to
travel, would enable our cilizens lo migrate in com
- , parative safely to the fertile regions below the falls
tion is diitinctiy federative in ail its prominent fea-i the Columbia, and make the provision of the
I existing convtntion for the joint occupation of the
ierntory by subjtcts of Great Britain, and the cili-
zena of tile (jnited States, more available lhan here*
tofoie to the latter. These posts w’ould constitute
places of rest for the w’eary emigrant, where he
would be sheltered securely against the danger of
aitack »rom the Indians, and be enabled to recover
from the exhaustion of a long line of travel. Leg.
lilative fnactrnents should also be made which
should spread over him the segis of our laws, so as
toafl^ord protection lo his person and properly when
ht shall have reached his dislant home. In this
lattei respect, the British Government has been
niuch more careful of ihe interests of such of her
People as are to be found in lhat country, than (he
United Stales. She has made necessary provi^ic''
for their security and protection against the acts of
he viciously disposed and lawless; and her emi
grant reposes in safety under the .panoply of her
laws. VVhatever may be the result of the pending
negotiation, such measures are necessary. It wiU
afloid me the greatest pleasure to witness a happy
■ c'^T compact, and, above all, { lerms compatible^vvitrihe^pilu^^^
0^ the gua.anties of the Consti- ( the best efl'orts ol ihe Government will continue lo
j Uion, will preserve the union on a foundation which i dirtcied to Ihis end.
iocvond Eunr'L'Vorre' i in '>'ef>est grotincallon,
h-ious freiu'oin, ol it,a In'.ifom of ih- pr.ss ofilje'! to hivo bj'e(i''rblTin" \° Congress,
calculated to adial;cVi\rlwrhappf. j belw!enXm?\hlfall^^^^
t^’nion must ever cuhi-1 of regret, that any unnecessary d^^s shou'^ ^e
ihest', and avoiding all interpola- I permitted to intervene. It is true that in a necuni-
Kiacrincd exi^edipr^'-'^'^^*^"’the guise of an j ary point of view, the maittrs alluded to, are alio-
°ceof our insignificant in amount, when ’compared
velyand as Lneficmlll',T j resources of that great nation; but
' the Pacific as it i^ now on shores they, nevertheless, more pailicularly that limited
an The’onir formid'.hl ^ Atlantic elass which arise under seizures and detentions of
^'^y ofits st Lrsful Z .n the j American ships on the coast of Africa, upon the
h''ir in Ih ^ -1^'' ( Ult and space) are I mistaken supposition indulged in at the time the
V . iho i,„. I «Tong was co.mni.lrd, of .her being engaged
'2!r’i ihi *M I' ° ‘ ‘i sl.'ivr-trail ',—deeply affeci Ihe si nsibiiiiiES
Ihc „b,l,iy ol Rtprcsemalives from itK.i re. this Government and IVople '• •
in
of
Jte legion to come up to the Capitol, so that iheir
,^Histitutents shall panicipate in all the benefits of
r '"deral legislation. Thus K is that, in the progress
P luiio, the inestimable principles of civil liberty
pill bij enjoyed by millions yet unboin. and the
Great Britain hav
ing recognised her responsibility to repair all such
wrongs, by her action in other cases, leaves noth
ing to be jegretled upon ihe subject, as to all cases
prior to 'he Treaty of Washington, than the delay
IS constantly anvancing m ihe road of science and
improvement; whily France, guided by the coun
cils of her wise sovereign, pursues a course calcu*
lated to consolidate the general peace. Spain has
obtained a brealhmg spell of some duration from
the internal convulsions which have, through so
many years .marred her prosperity; while Austria,
the Netherlands, Prussia, "Belgium, and the other
powers of Europe, reap a rich harvest of blessings
from the prevailing peace.
I informed the two Ilouijs of Congress in my
message of December last, that instructions had
been given to Mr. Wheaton, our Minister at Bei
Im, to negotiate a treaty with the Gerir.anic States
composing the Zoll Verrin, if it could be done—
stipulating, as far as it was practicable to accom
plish it, for a reduction cf ihe heavy and onerous
duties levied on our tobacco, and ether leading arii
cles of agricultural producli n; tiod yielding, iu re
turn, on our part a reduciiop. of duiies on snch arti
cles, the production of their intlusiry, as should not
come into competitu n, or Lutalimitd onn, w ith
articles ihe product of our manufacturing mduvtry.
The Executive, in giving such instrncticns, consi.l
ered itself as acting in strict confoimity with th.
wishes of Congress, as madr known tiirough sevi :
al measures which it had alopled ; all direetu to
the accomplishment of this uiportsnl result. The
trtaiy was, therefore, negoimttd ; by which essen
tial reductions W'ere secured in the duties levied bv
the Zoll Verein, on tobacco, r:cc and luid, accom
panied by a stipulation for he ad.inssion of raw
cotton, free of duty. In exchange ter which high
ly important concessions, a reauciiort of duties, im
posed by the law^s of the Utiited Stales on a variety
of aiticles, most of which were admitted free of all
duty under the act of Congress commonly known
as the Compromise law, uod bui few cf which
were produced in the United Stales, was stipulated
for on our part. 'I'his treaty wa'> con.rr.unicated to
ihe Senate at an early day of its last session, but
nol acted upon uniil n^ar its close; when, for ihe
want, as I am bound lo persume, of full time to
consider it, it was laid upon tiie table. This proce
dure had the effect of virtually rejecting it, in conse-
qunce of a stipulation conlaied in the treaty that its
rat.ficaiion should bo exchanged on or before a day
which has already passed.—I'hejExecutive, acting
upon the fair inference that the Seriate did nol in
lend its absoluta itje;ct:on. gave insliuction lo our
Alinister at Berlin to re-open ihe negotiation, so far
as to ob'ain an extension of time for the exciiange
of ratifications. I regret, howaver, to say that his
efforts, in this respect, have be n unsuccessful. I
atn, nevertheless, not without hope that the great
advantages which v»ere intended lo be secured by
the treaty, may yet be realized.
I am happy to inform you that Belgium has, by
an “arrele royale,” issued in July lasi, assimilated
the flag of the United Slates to her own. so far as
the direct trade between the tw’o countries is con
cerned. This measure will prove of great service
to our shipping interest; the trade having, hereto
fore, been carried on chiefly m foreign bottoms. I
flatter myself lhat she uill speedily resort tor. mod-
ificatmn of her system.. reianng.to ihe tobacco trade,
wh’.ttu Would decidedly benefit the agriculture of
the United States, and operate to the mutual advant
age of both countries.
No definitive intelligence has yet been received
from our Minister, of the conclusion of a Treaty
with the Chinese Empire ; but enough is known to
induce the srongest hopes that ihe mission will be
crowned with success.
VVith Brazil our relations continue on ihe most
friendly footing. The commercial intercourse be
iw'een ihai growing Empire and the United Slates,
is becoming daily ot greater importance to both ;
and it is the interest of both that ihe fiimesi rela
tions of amity and good will, should continue to be
cultivated between them.
The republic of New Grenada still withholds,
notwithstanding the mosl persevering efforts have
been employed by our Charge d’Affaires, Mr.
Blackford, lo produce a different^resuit—indemnitv
in the case of the brig ‘‘ IMorris.” And the Con
gress of Venezuela, although an arrangement has
been effected between our Minister, aod the MTnis*
ter of foreign aflairs of that government for the
pavtnenl of $18,000, in discharge of its liabilities
in the same case—has altogether neglected to niaki-
provisiori for its payment, Ii is to be hoped that a
sense of justice will soon induce a selllemeni ofihese
claims.
Our late Minister to Chili, Mr. Pendleton, has
re.urned to the Unifed States without hating effec
ted an adjustment in ihe seconed dim of the
Macedonian, which is delayed on grounds alloo'elh-
er Irivolous and untinable. Air. Pendleion’s-succes'
sor has been direcltd lo urge ihe claim in the siroh-
gesl lerms; and in the trenl of failure to obtain a
permanent adjustment, to repoil the fact to the Ex
eculive al as tarly a day as possible, to lhat the
whole matter may be communicated to Congr(SS.
This Go
v» rnment, fiom rime to time, txeitcd ils friendly
(yflices to bring about a t( rrninalion oi hostilities up
on lerfiis honoiable alike to both the billigerents.
Its ( ffoils ii\ tins behall piovtd unavailing. Mt xi
CO seemed, almost without an objict, to persevere in
the war, and no other alternative was It^i the Ex**'
cutive but to take advantage of the wellkriown dis
positions of Texas, and to invite her to enter into a
treaty for annexing her territory lo that of the Uni-
ed States.
Since your last session, Mexico has ihreaicneU to
rent vv iht wa., and has either made, or proposed lo
nmke, formidable j:rt.pafaliens lor invading Texas.
Sti( has issued decrt ts and proclamations,‘prepara
tory lo the coiiimenctmtniorhosiililies, full oflhreals.
If volting to humanitv ; and which, if carried into ef-
kti, would ajouse the attention ot all Chiistendom.
This new demonsiraiion of feeling, there is too much
reason to believe, has been produced in consequent
of the negotiation of the late treaty of annexation
with Texas. I’lie Executive, therefore, could nol
be indillerent io such proceedings; and il fell it lo
be due, as well to itself, as to ihe honor of the coun
try, that a tirong representation should bo made lo
the Mexican Government upon ihe subject. This
was accoulingly done ; as will be seen by the copy
of ihe aiCMfiipauying despatch from the Secrilary
of Slate lo the United Stales Envoy at Mexico.—
Mexico has no light to jtopaid the ptTfce of the
world by ureing atiy longer, a useless and fruitless
coniist Such H condition of things w'ould nol be
toil .'•aied on the European continent. Why should
a be on thii ? A w^r of desolation, such as is now
thri ateiiid by Mexico, cannot be v/aged witlioul in>*
volviny our peace and tianquillily. It ;s idle to be
lieve lhat such a war could be looked upon svith
indiffer» nc«^ by our own cilizens, inhabiting adjoin
have conducted such a negotiation ; and lo have UC'*
deriaken it, would have been an sssumption equal
ly revoking to the pride ot Mexico and Texas, and
subj* Cling us to the charge of arrogance; while to
have proposed in advance of annexation, to satisfy
Mexico loi any contingent interest she might have
in Texas, would have been lo have treated Texas,
not as an independent power, but as a mere depen*
dency of Mexico. 'I'his assumpiion could not have
been acted on by the E.Kecuiive, without selling at
defiance your own .‘■ulen»n declaialion that lhat Ri.-
public was an independent Slate. Mexico had. it
IS irue, threatened war against the United Slates,
the t vent the Treaty of Annexation was ratified.—
The Executive couid net permit itself lo be influ
enced by ihis thual. it represented in this, the
spirit oi our Peopif, uLo are ready to sacrifice
luuvh for peace, but no'haig lo intimidation. A war,
undt I any cncumsiancts, is greaily to be deplored’
aiiU the United Slates is the last nation lo desire it;
but if, as the condition o.‘ prace, it be required of us
to fort go the unqueslicnatle right of treating wilh
an independent power, of our own Continent, upon
mailers highly interesting to both, and that upon a
liaktd anti unsustainec! prtlension of claim -by a
ihird power, to cot.irol the free-will of ihc power
With whom we treat—devoitd as we njay be lo
peace, and anxious to cultivate friendly relations
with the whole world, ihe Extcuiive does not hes
itate to say lhat, the People of the United S’.atcs
vvould be ready lo brave all consequences, sooner
lhan submit to such condition. Bui no apprehen
sion ol war was mteMaincd by the Executive; and
I musi express frankly the opinion lhat, had the
Treaty bet n ratified by the Senate, it would have
bet n followed by a prompt seitlement. to the cntiro
satislaction of Mexico, of every mailer in di(r. rcnca
between the two countries. Seeing then that new'
preparations for the hostile invasion of Texas were
about !o be adopted by .Mexico, and ihal these were
brought about because Texas had adopted ihe suo-
gestions of the Executive upon llie subject of An
nexation, il could noi passively have foldtd its arms
and permilU da war, ihreatvned to be accompanied
by every act lhat could tnai k a barbarous age, to bo
waged against her, because she had done so.
Ovher considerations of a contiolling character
influenced ;l;o course of ihe Executive. The trea
ty which had thus been negotiated, had failed to re
ceive the ratification of ihe Senate. One of the
chief objt'clions which was urged ag-iinsl it, wns
found lo consist in the fact, thai ihe question of an
nexation had nol betn submitted to ihe ordeal of
public opinion in the United Sratc.**. How-ever un
tenable such an objection was cst('cmed to bo, in
view of ihe unqtiesiionabie power of the Execuiivo
to negotiate the treaty, and the great and lasiing
interests involved in the question, I fell il lo be my
duty to s.ibmil lae 'whole subjicl to Congress as
the best expounders of popular seniimcnt. No do-
finilive action having been laktn on the subject by
Congress, the qmstion referred itself directly lo the
decision of the Stales and ihe People The crcat
popular election w hich has just lerminaled, afforded
the best opportunity of ascertaining the will of the
V • k/jr V 4 it JliliUUillllg UUJUlll- ^ ^ w t «i*# i ^ Ui liiC
ing States; and our neutrality would bo violated,. Stales, and the People upon ii. Pending lhat issue,
li> oil ^ ^ f .1 If hniTifno i i n rt > r.f
in despite of all efibrts on the part of the Govern-
nitnl to prevj nt it. 'i'he country is settled by emi
grants from the United States, under invitations
hi id out to them by Spam and Mexico. Those
eiiiigrants have left bthind lh m friends and rela
tives who would nol fail lo sympathise wilh them
in iheir difficulties, and who would be led by those
sympaihusto participate in their struggles, howe
ver energetic the action of the Goyernment to pre
vent it. Nor would the i.umerous and formidable
bands of Indians, the fno?t warlike to be found in
any land, which occuj y the exu-nsive regions conti
guous to ihe Stales of Aikansas and ISlissouri, and
who are in possession of large tracts of countrv
within the limits of Texas, be likt ly lo remain paS'
sive. Thf‘ inclinations of hose numerous tribes
itad them mvaiildy to war whenever pretexts (x-
ist.
MEXICO had no just ground of uispltasure against
this Government or P*ople for negotiating the trea-
t}'- What interest of hers was oliected by the trea
ty ? She was despoiled of nothing, since Texas
ir m.. .Vi IL ’ T ft ^ submiUed to the attention advance of the r;
m making suitable reparation in sush of k(iem as j of Coagrcs;, the ConvenltDn with the Rernblic of I have had no ri
was fotever lost lo her. The independt nee of Tex-
as was recogniztd by several of the leading pow
ers of the eaiih. S'ht was free to treat—free to
adopt her own }ihe of policy—fiee lo lake the course
ijicn she biiitVfU was bisl calculaUd to secure
ht r happim Si? FL t Governnu ni and People de-
ciUrd on annt xaiion to ihi United StaUs; and the
Exe«:utivc saw, in the acquisition of such a territo
ly, the mtans ol advancing their permanent happi
ness and glory; W hat principle of good faith ihen
was violated ? what rule of political morals tram-
phd under foot? So far as M-xico herself was
concejn» d, the nuasure .>hould have been regarded
by her as^ highly beneficial. Her inability to re
conquer Texas had been exhibited, I repeat, by
eight—now nme—yrars ol fruitless and ruinous
contest. In ihe meantime. Ttxas hns been grow-
ing in population and resouiccs. Ernigiation has
flowed into her territory front all parts of the w-orld,
m a current which continues to increase m strength.
Alfxtco requius u j'»rmantni b'Uiidaiy bttween
that young reijublic and ht'rst If. ^'exas. al no dis>
tant day, if she contmuea sepataie and detach* d
fiom the Uuited Stales, w ill imvUubly set k to con
solidate her strength by nddmg to her domain the
contiguous provinces of Mtxico. The spirit of re
volt fiom iht control of ifce Central Goveinnieni
has, heretofore, manifesud itself in some of those
provinces ; and it is fair to infer ihai thty would b*
inclined to take the fiisi favorable opportunity lo
pioclaim their mdt pendtnee, and lo form close al-
iianc's with Texas. The war would thus be end
less; or, if cessations of hostilities should occur, they
wouid only endure for a srason. The interests of
M«xico, thert fore, could in nothing be belter con
sulud Ihun in a peace with her neighbors, which
would irsult in the establishment of a p*'rmanent
boundary. Upon thf i.itification of the ti»uty, the
Executive was prepared to trrai w'ith her on the
most liberal basis. Hence the boundaries of 'Texas
weie left unde fined bv the treaty. 'I’he Execu'ive
proposed to snile these upon lerms that all the
world should have pronounced just and reasonable
No fitgotialion upon that point could have been un-
deitaken between the United Stales and Mexico, in
advance of the ratification of the treaty. We should
no power—no authority, to
rht
it became the imperative duty of the E.^ecuiive to
inform Mexico thai the question of annexation was
still bc.^ore the AmenV.&n People, and that unlit
their decision was pronour.ced, any serious inva
sion of i'exas would b« regaided as an altrrnpi to
forestall iheir judgmt nt', and could noi be looked
upon with indifierence. I am mosl happvto inform
you, that no such invasion has taken jdace; and I
trust that whatever your action may be upon it,
Mexico will see the impoKance of deciding liie
matter by a resort to peaceful expedients, in pre
ference 10 those of arms. 'The decision of the l\ o-
ple and the Stales, on iliis greal and interesting-
sulject, has been decisively manilesled. The ques*-
t\on cf annexation has been [ireseiiled nakedly lo
iheir consideration. By the treaty itself, all collat
eral and incidental issues, w'hich w'ere calculatetl lo
divide and distract the public councils, were care-
fully avoided. Tluse were IlI'i to the wisdom of
the future to determine It presented, I repeat,
the isolated question of annexation; ainl in that
form it has been submitted to the ordeal of public
senlimtnt A cemlrolling majority of tlie People,
nnd a large majority of the States, have dtclared
in favor of immediate annexation. Instructions have
thus come up to both branches of Congress, from
their respective constiuufit?, in terms the most em
phatic. It is ihe will of both the people and tho
Stales, lhat Texas shall be annexed to the Union
promptly and immediately. It may be hoped lha?,
m carrying into execution ihe public will, thus de
clared, all,collateral issues may be avoided. Fu
ture Legislatures can best decide as to the number
of Stales which should be formed out of the ter
ritory, w’hen the tiiijc has ariived for deciding lhal
qutsiion. So with all others. By llie treaty, the
United States assumed the payment of ihe debts of
Texas, to an amount not exceeding $10,000,000;
to be paid, with the exception of a sum falling short
of $400,000, exclusively out of the prodeeds of tho
sales of her public lands. We could not, with hon
or, take the lands, without assumirtg the full pay
ment of all incumbrancf s upon thetn.
Nothing has occurrrd since ycur l.-ist session, !o
induce a doubt that tht? dispositions of 'Texas remain
unaltered. Nc» intimation ol an altered determina
tion,'on ihe part of her Goveinmrnl and People,
has been furnished lo the Executive. She still de
sires lo throw lierself under the jirolection cf cur
laws, and to paiiake ci the blessings of cur fedeia-
tivr^ system ; while every Amarican interest would
seem to require it, 'The evK nsionof our coast-wise
and foreign trade, loan amount almost incalculablo
— the (niargt nient of the maiket of our manufac
tures— a con.4'intly grovving market for cur agri-
culiural produciious—saK ly to our frontiers, ami
additional slrength and stability lo the Union,—these
are the ri sults which would iapidiv develope llietn-
, selves, upon tho consummation of the measure ofnn-
nexation. In such evtnt, 1 will not doubt bui that
M ^xico would find her tnie interest to consist in
met-iing ihe advances of this Governmrnt in a spirit
it of amity.
Nor do I apprehend any serious complnlnl from
any other quaiier; no sufficient ground exists for
such complaint. We should interfere inno rtspecl
with the rights ol any other nation. There cannot
be gathered from the acl any design on our pait to
do so with their possessions on this Conlintni.i—